Delta 2023 Governorship: ljaw Has A Strong Case, Says ex-Minister

Former Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Chief Chris Agbobu, has said that the Ijaws of Delta State have a very strong case to be governor in 2023 maintaining “they are seeking for Justice”.

Chief Agbobu stated this when he spoke on behalf of PDP leaders at Ogwashi Uku when the Ijaw for Governor 2023 Lobby Team led by former Minister of Police Affairs, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo visited the area in continuation of it’s consultative visits to leaders, stakeholders, elders, ethnic nationaliaties and traditional rulers among others.

He said the people of Aniocha South will follow the leading of the Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa on which direction to go in 2023 having crowned him their political king.

“You have come to ask for justice…we have mandated him (Governor Ifeanyi Okowa) to be the one to advice us on the way forward, any decision he makes I can assure you that it will score at least ninety to ninety five percent from Anioma area”.

“In Anioma we have sat over and over again on these issues and we have simplified it by asking our governor who we have crowned our political king to tell us the direction”.he added.

Continuing, Chief Agbobu noted “you have a good point, a very strong case, like I said it is not going to be finalised or decided at the level of individuals so go and get hold of our son the governor, he will direct us at the appropriate time”.

The Ijaw for Governor 2023 Lobby Team also birthed at Ibusa, Oshimili North where PDP leaders spoke through the Chairman of the Council, Honourable Innocent Esewezie who lauded the Ijaws for the role they have been playing politically and economically since 1999 noting that their quest to be governor was noble one.

“We have decided in this local government area that because Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has led us well as Governor from Anioma extraction, we believe that we need a governor in Okowa’s standing to lead us”.

Esewezie added, “When the time comes, the direction he will show us…the direction of Okowa is the direction of the people of Oshimili North”.

“Whatever he says (Governor Okowa) as far as 2023 is concerned, that we must do in this local government and above all I want the Ijaw nation to know that we have you in our prayers…continue with what you are doing and at the appropriate time God will speak through men”.

Also speaking, the Member representing Oshimili North Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly and Chief Whip, Hon. Pat Ajudua said “you are fighting for your right, it is not an abomination for you to fight for your right…”.

At Asaba, headquarters of Oshimili South Local Government Area, PDP leaders who spoke through the immediate State Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party and Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor told the Ijaw delegation that there was nothing wrong for them to aspire to be governor of the state in 2023.

“We have respect for leadership …we will revert back to our leader who is the Governor and as time goes on, we will be able to relate with you on the way forward, given that he is the leader of the party in the state and major decisions in collaboration with other leaders must come into play”, he added .

Earlier, the Leader of the Ijaw for Governor 2023 Lobby Team and former Minister of Police Affairs, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo who spoke separately at Aniocha South, Oshimili North and Oshimili South Local government areas said the ijaws were interested in the 2023 gubernatorial election.

“The state is stable, Ibori and Uduaghan have done their beat from Delta Central and South senatorial districts….in 2015 some of us stocked our necks and said the political ‘osusu’ must go round to Delta North insisting that if it does not go then it is injustice, we believed that Delta North must produce governor…. even though our son Orubebe was in the race”.

“Now that the political cycle is completed, the next cycle should start from the Ijaws in Delta South….the claim by the Urhobos that it should start from them does not hold water,they have governed, it does not mean the next cycle should start from them…they don’t believe in zoning”.

Bozimo added ” Our request is not based on ethnicity but based on fairness,equity and Justice”.

“We are not tribalistic, you cannot talk about your senatorial district without talking about your identity…we have three sons who have indicated interest…the Deputy Governor,Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, Senator James Manager and Dr Braduce Angozi, more may also come..we are pleading,please support us as one good turn deserves another”, Bozimo added.

On the Ijaw delegation were Alaowei Broderick Bozimo,Hon.Joel Bisina PhD,Hon.Ekpotughayerin Pullah,Member DTHA, Hon. (Engr.)  Emmanuel Senebe, Member DTHA, Hon. Franc Enekorogha, former Speaker DTHA,Chief James Nieketien (JP), Barr. Newworld Safugha former Commissioner for Energy and Local Government Affairs, Hon. Paul Kurugbe, Member SPEB, Barr.David Ekerokosu, former Commissioner, Hon. Eric Orusaibogha Pioneer Member, DTHA,
Hon. Timi Tonye, Former Member DTHA,Barr.Fred Owotorufa,
Amb. Okporu Augustine (JP),Dr.Brodrick Tumbo, Hon.Godwin Odumogrien.

Others are Hon. Collins, Collins Olorogun, Chief Johnny Aribogha, Chief Roland Kemefa, Hon. Patricia Asiyai, Madam Felicia Gborgbor, Hon. Gloria Okubodogha, Comr. Moses Fiyebor, Bishop Godwin Soroaye, Hon. (Mrs) Felicia Orounagha,
Hon. Sagbegha Korokorosei, Hon. Dorathy Clark, Engr. Pius Donyegha, Comr. Tina Tobusi, IYC National Woman Leader,
Comr. (Dr.) Doubra Collins Okotete, IYC Chairman, Mr. Stephen Zipamor,Mrs Fanty Goodness,Comr. Eniekebi Joseph, Mr. Funebi Numupeide, Hon. Tobi Kemezide,
Hon. Allan Egbegi.

PDP Leaders in Aniocha South that received the Ijaw delegation are Chief(Dr). Chris Agbobu, Rt. Hon. Joan Onyemaechi, Director General,Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, Hon. Chief Joel Adigwe Hon. Chief Barr. Z.E  Oteogwu, Hon, Chief Rita Daniels . C and Hon ( Pst) Chukwunuike Jude, Chairman, Aniocha South Local Government Council.

Others Hon.Adigwe Amaka Racheal,Madan Lilian A. Okolie, Hon.  Emma Sorokwu, former Chairman, Aniocha South LGA, Hon.Banwuzia Ujenwa and Hon.Tony Nwaka,former Commissioner.

At Oshimili North,PDP leaders that received the Ijaw team were Chief Nduka Ogwuda,  PDP Chairman, Oshimili North, Hon.Princess Pat  Ajudua, Chief Whip DTHA, Hon. Innocent Esewezie, Chairman Oshinmili North L.G.A, Dr. Austin Obidi,  Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Elder Anene Chigbue, SSA Engr. Ogo Gbandi, former Council Chairman, Chief Felix Ndukiwe, SSA/ former Party Chairman,HonEmeka Nmadu and Chief Martin Okakwu.

Others are Chief Tony Ogbo,SSA, Hon.Joseph  Ijeh, SSA,Mr Ifeanyi Nwaezeigwe, Mrs Grace Odia Rose,  Woman Leader, Deacon Dave Nwosisi, Youth Leader, Barr. Frank Esenwah, Executive Assistant ( Land Resources),
Sir Austin Owanwa, SSA, Mr. Henry Onianwa,SSA, Hon. Emeka Emeka Okelefe SSA,Hon Uche Ofuonyeadi, SSA, Hon Dumebi Okocha, SSA,Dr.Partick Onwuachi, SSA, Hon Patrick Ajoh and Hon.Chucks Onwauli amongst others .

Oshimili South leaders are,Chief Edwin Uzor,Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Chief Douglas Okolotu,Hon. Shadrack Rapu, Member DTHA,Hon.Chugaby Oniwuka,Hon.Emeka Obonti,Hon. Olisa Onyeka,Hon.Anana.  Emma,Hon.Ike Olopuno, Hon. C . Osadebey and Hon. C.C. Okafor.

Others are Mr Ngozi Okolotu,Mr C. Ifesiokwu, Hon. Okakwu Ambrose,
Hon. Eloka Aziekwu, Hon. (Dcn) Anthony  Onyia, Mr Cassy Juwah, Chief John Agunya, Engr. Smart Meka, Mr. Chukwuma Belonwu, Hon. Ify Ogbogu, Olorogun Ngozi Okolie, Mrs Ngozi Nwabuonwu, Mrs Franca Anigbogu.